U.S. Rep Lou Barletta’s opinion piece, “Transplant saga proves problem with health care," (July 14) attempts to warn of the sinister bureaucratic plots that await the public under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

In a style reminiscent of the National Enquirer, Mr. Barletta, through a series of illogical connections and unsupported information, dismisses the federal and state protocol for organ transplantation recipients under the 1984 National Organ Transplantation Act, instead alleging “bureaucrats” made the decision to withhold lungs from a dying 10-year-old.

He indicates this gives “proof” that this same approach will be in place under ACA — that is, bureaucrats will make healthcare decisions for each of us, serving as the very “death panels” the administration said would not exist. Rep. Barletta adds that “thousands” of IRS agents are hired and poised to enforce the law, and he later projects the real cost of ACA, all without attributing information to any credible source.

While Mr. Barletta’s commentary could be viewed as just his opinion, it’s more serious than that. As the congressional representative for the 11th District, Mr. Barletta should be concerned with disseminating information to his constituents to help them come to a reasoned understanding of issues. Instead, he resorts to murky, illogical connections, distorts information, and substitutes fear for reason.